Episode 202 - Occupational Safety - Incident Investigation Process Steps

Dr. Ayers walks through the step‑by‑step process of conducting an effective incident investigation. The episode reinforces that investigations must be systematic, timely, and focused on learning, not blame. Sources:

  🧠 Key Themes 1. Respond Immediately and Secure the Scene

The first step is to ensure:

• Injured employees receive care

• The area is made safe

• Hazards are controlled

• Evidence is preserved

A delayed response leads to lost information. Sources:

  2. Gather Initial Facts and Evidence

Dr. Ayers emphasizes collecting:

• Photos and videos

• Equipment settings

• Tools and materials involved

• Environmental conditions

• Physical evidence

This forms the factual foundation of the investigation. Sources:

  3. Conduct Interviews Early

Interviewing employees and witnesses quickly ensures:

• More accurate recall

• Better detail

• Less influence from others

Interviews should be open‑ended and non‑blaming. Sources:

  4. Identify Causal Factors

The episode stresses digging deeper than surface‑level explanations. Investigators must examine:

• Behaviors

• Conditions

• System contributors

• Organizational factors

This step prevents “worker error” from becoming the default conclusion. Sources:

  5. Determine Root Causes

Causal factors explain what happened. Root causes explain why it was possible. Dr. Ayers highlights the need to:

• Ask “why” repeatedly

• Look for system weaknesses

• Avoid blame‑based reasoning Sources:

  6. Develop Corrective Actions

Corrective actions must:

• Address root causes

• Be realistic

• Reduce or eliminate the hazard

• Have clear ownership and deadlines

Weak corrective actions guarantee repeat incidents. Sources:

  7. Follow Up and Verify Effectiveness

The investigation is not complete until:

• Actions are implemented

• Their effectiveness is confirmed

• The risk is reduced

• Lessons learned are shared

Verification closes the loop. Sources:

  🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Investigations must be structured and timely.

• Evidence and interviews form the backbone of accuracy.

• Causal factors and root causes are not the same.

• Corrective actions must be meaningful and verified.

• The goal is learning and prevention, not blame.